Advocacy E-News March 20, 2017
March 20, 2017
DEPRESSED BY POLITICS? JUST LET GO
Much of what actually happens in politics is far beyond our individual influence. So what is the solution? First, find a way to bring politics more into your sphere of influence so it no longer qualifies as an external locus of control. Instead, get involved in a tangible way — volunteering, donating money or even running for office. This transforms you from victim of political circumstance to problem solver.
NEW HOUSING GUIDE FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY
“The Journey to Community Housing with Supports: A Road Map for Individuals and Their Families” provides easy-to-understand information, advice and guidance about community housing and supportive services. This housing guide was designed specifically for individuals with disabilities and their families with a concentration on those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
UNCERTAINTY, WARNINGS SURROUND GOP HEALTH PLAN IN NEW JERSEY
The congressional Republican and White House – backed plan to overhaul the Affordable Care Act threatens to saddle Gov. Chris Christie’s successor with budget difficulties, but the administration isn’t saying exactly what those will look like. About 500,000 people gained insurance through expansion in New Jersey, according to the Christie administration, and the state has seen about $2 billion in cost savings thanks to the federal plan. It’s unclear how
candidates would manage any potential budget holes resulting in reduced federal matching.
WHO’S AT RISK?
The ramifications of the House Republican proposal to overhaul the Affordable Care Act are widespread, but changes to the federal Medicaid program could have a particularly
detrimental effect on New Jersey’s budget, as well as its residents. Because the state opted into Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion, an additional 553,000 low-income adults are insured in the state. Betsy Ryan, president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association, said that the cuts in charity-care reimbursement and the proposed changes to Medicaid endanger the future of hospitals.
ASSISTED OUTPATIENT TREATMENT REGIONAL TRAININGS OFFERED
Local stakeholders interested in initiating, expanding or improving the practice of assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) in their community or state are invited to register for SAMHSA-sponsored training on launching and operating an AOT program.SAMHSA will present 2-day trainings at three different sites across the nation in May and June to address the common barriers that public mental health officials and judges have reported as reasons for not fully implementing AOT in their communities. The curriculum, developed by the Treatment Advocacy Center in consultation with SAMHSA, will be targeted to leaders and policymakers of state and local mental health agencies, judges who currently preside over civil commitment dockets, coordinators and providers of outpatient services to high-risk individuals with mental illness, and leaders of peer and/or family advocacy groups.
FIND YOUR LOCAL NAMI
